Tuesday, May 22, 2012

For
the second year in a row, 24/7 Wall St. examined the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development’s report on life satisfaction in
the developed world. Economic prosperity, health and a strong social
support network continue to correspond highly with happiness. Once
again, the United States fails to make the top 10 happiest nations in
the world, while countries like Australia, Israel and all of the
Scandinavian nations do.

The OECD measured more than 30 sets of data in 11 different
categories, including education, health and employment. The study also
asked residents of each country to rank, on a scale of 1 to 10, their
general satisfaction with their lives. 24/7 Wall St. examined the 10
countries with the highest life satisfaction scores to find the
strongest factors related to happiness.

Economic prosperity appears to be one of the strongest factors that
relates to overall life satisfaction. Of the 10 countries with the
highest levels of happiness, nine have personal incomes that are higher
than the OECD average. Eight of them have among the highest disposable
incomes among developed nations.

In addition, the overall regional economies of these 10 nations
appear to be doing exceptionally well. Government debt as a percentage
of gross domestic product in these countries is either among the
smallest in the developed world, or these nations are actually running a
surplus. Norway, which has the second-highest satisfaction score, has a
government surplus of 162.5% of its GDP.

Employment is one of the most obvious causes of satisfaction,
according to Matthias Rumpf, OECD’s chief media officer, especially
long-term employment and job stability. Of the 10 countries with the
highest job satisfaction rates, nine are among the 15 with the lowest
long-term unemployment rates — the percentage of the population that has
been unemployed for more than a year. “Those who are unemployed are
generally not very happy,” Rumpf says. And long-term unemployment is
even worse, he explains. While being between jobs can affect a person,
“the longer you are unemployed, the worse it gets.”

After economic stability, physical and social well-being are the
largest determinants for happiness. When it comes to self-reported
health, eight of the 10 countries have a higher rate of citizens
reporting good health than the OECD average of 70%. All but one have a
higher life expectancy than the OECD average of 79.8 years. When it
comes to having a strong social support network, seven of the countries
have among the largest percentage of residents reporting having a friend
or relative they could rely on in a case of need.

Not surprisingly, having enough leisure time affects a person’s
mental health and strongly impacts happiness. According to the report,
while data is incomplete, the majority of the countries with a strong
sense of well-being have more leisure time each day than the OECD
average of 14.76 hours (this includes sleep). The citizens of Denmark,
the happiest country, have the most leisure time available per day, at
16.06 hours.

The U.S. ranks 11th in life satisfaction, just missing the top 10.
This suggests that while some of these categories may impact happiness,
they do not guarantee it. Despite its above-average score, the U.S. has
the highest rate of disposable income in the OECD and an extremely high
rate of self-reported good health. Meanwhile, the U.S. has a
particularly low life expectancy for developed nations, which at 78.7
years is worse than 26 other developed nations. The U.S. also has a low
job security rate and a relatively high long-term unemployment rate.

Examining 34 separate member nations, a number of emerging economies,
and two additional participating countries — Brazil and Russia — the
OECD’s 2012 Better Life Index report measured more than 30 indices in 11
separate categories: housing, income, jobs, community, education, the
environment, civic engagement, health, life satisfaction, safety and
work-life balance. 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 10 countries in which
residents reported personal well-being at an average of 7.2 out of 10 or
better.
These are the happiest countries in the world.

10. Sweden
> Life satisfaction score: 7.3 (5th)
> Employment rate: 73% (5th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 79% (9th highest)
> Employees working long hours: 1.28% (3rd lowest)
> Disposable income: $26,633 (11th highest)
> Educational attainment: 86% (9th highest)
> Life expectancy: 81.5 years (7th highest)
In the OECD’s latest Better Life Index report, Sweden scores 7.3, the
10th-best score. Sweden has a life expectancy of 81.5 years, which is
the seventh highest in the OECD. The country has extremely low pollution
levels as well. According to the Better Life Index data, 97% of Swedes
are satisfied with the quality of their drinking water — the second most
among developed countries. The country also has the lowest levels of
air pollution in the OECD. In the country, leisure is a priority for the
working population as just 1.28% of Swedish employees work in excess of
50 hours per week. By comparison, 10.86% of U.S. employees work that
much each week.

9. Canada
> Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 4th)
> Employment rate: 72% (7th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 88% (3rd highest)
> Employees working long hours: 3.91% (11th highest)
> Disposable income: $27,138 (8th highest)
> Educational attainment: 88% (5th highest)
> Life expectancy: 80.8 years (13th highest)
Canada’s score of 7.4 has much to do with the success of its health
care system, a socialized plan that provides coverage to all of its
citizens. As many as 88% of Canadians report their health to be “good”
or “very good,” which ranks third among all nations surveyed. Canada
also ranks among the top 15 nations in life expectancy. Other factors
that may be contributing to Canadians’ high life satisfaction level are
education and employment levels. Some 88% of Canadians have at least a
high school diploma — the fifth-highest rate among the nations the OECD
reviewed. Also, 72% of working-age citizens are employed — the
seventh-highest rate. By comparison, Italy — one of the
poorer-performing countries in these categories — has a working-age
employment rate of 57%, and only 54% of its population has at least a
high school diploma.

8. Australia
> Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 4th)
> Employment rate: 72% (9th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 85% (5th highest)
> Employees working long hours:13.99% (4th highest)
> Disposable income: $26,927 (9th highest)
> Educational attainment: 71% (12th lowest)
> Life expectancy: 81.8 years (5th highest)
Of the countries with high life satisfaction, Australia’s citizens
have comparatively little leisure time. They tend to work long hours,
with nearly 14% of the population working 50 hours a week or more.
Australians are healthier than most, with a life expectancy of 81.8
years — the fifth highest in the OECD. Additionally, 85% of Australians
report their health to be either “good” or “very good.” The national
economy has also fared well in recent years, with a post-financial
crisis peak unemployment rate of only 5.7%. Presently, the Australian
unemployment rate is 4.9%. Another sign of economic strength is the low
government debt that stands only at 4.9% of GDP. Comparatively, the U.S.
government debt represents 73.8% of GDP.

7. Finland
> Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 4th)
> Employment rate: 68% (14th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 68% (15th lowest)
> Employees working long hours: 3.66% (8th highest)
> Disposable income: $24,958 (14th highest)
> Educational attainment: 82% (14th highest)
> Life expectancy: 80.2 years (16th lowest)
According to OECD figures, the Finns value their free time. They
devote 14.9 hours per day to leisure on average, the ninth highest among
developed nations. Americans, on the other hand, rank 20th with only
14.27 hours of leisure time each day. Finland also has the eighth-lowest
percentage of employees working more than 50 hours per week, at only
3.66%. When they are not working, many Finns like to indulge by taking a
sauna — so many, in fact, that a country with a population of 5.3
million has 2 million saunas, much more than the number of cars in the
country.

6. Israel
> Life satisfaction score: 7.4 (tied for 4th)
> Employment rate: 60% (11th lowest)
> Self-reported good health: 81% (7th highest)
> Employees working long hours: 18.92% (3rd highest)
> Disposable income: n/a
> Educational attainment: 82% (12th highest)
> Life expectancy: 81.7 years (6th highest)
Israelis have a life expectancy of 81.7 years — sixth highest among
OECD nations. The country also has a low obesity rate of 13.8%, while
81% of those surveyed report their health to be “good” or “very good.”
By comparison, Americans’ life expectancy is 78.7 years, and they also
have a higher obesity rate of 33.8% among adults. Despite the constant
security concerns in the country, the homicide rate in Israel is in line
with the OECD’s average of 2.1 murders per 100,000 people. In addition,
70% of Israelis surveyed feel safe walking home at night. Although
Israelis work long hours, with 18.92% working at least 50 hours a week,
life satisfaction remains high.

5. Austria
> Life satisfaction score: 7.5 (tied for 3rd)
> Employment rate: 72% (8th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 69% (17th lowest)
> Employees working long hours: 9.02% (10th highest)
> Disposable income: $27,541 (7th highest)
> Educational attainment: 82% (13th highest)
> Life expectancy: 80.7 (22nd lowest)
Austria stands out in many economic categories. Ranking within the
top 10 in both employment rate and disposable income, the Austrians have
certainly had some measure of financial success. Disposable income, in
particular, stands out as a strong factor in happiness for Austrians.
The country’s average annual disposable income is $27,541, while OECD
nations average $22,387. This disparity may be in part attributable to
the number of citizens working in excess of 50 hours a week, which, at
9.02%, ranks 10th among OECD nations.

4. Switzerland
> Life satisfaction score: 7.5 (tied for 3rd)
> Employment rate: 79% (1st highest)
> Self-reported good health: 87% (4th highest)
> Employees working long hours: 5.87% (17th highest)
> Disposable income: $27,756 (5th most)
> Educational attainment: 87% (8th highest)
> Life expectancy: 82.6 (2nd highest)
The most salient statistic with respect to well-being for the fourth
ranked country on the list is employment. Switzerland tops the list in
terms of working age employment rate at a whopping 79%. Switzerland also
cracks the top five in three other categories: disposable income
($27,756), self-reported good health (87%) and life expectancy (82.6
years). Given these stellar numbers, it is easy to see why, according to
the U.S. Department of State, “Switzerland consistently ranks high on
quality of life indices.” The Swiss also have very high rates of
insurance coverage and computer and Internet usage.

3. Netherlands
> Life satisfaction score: 7.5 (tied for 3rd)
> Employment rate: 75% (3rd highest)
> Self-reported good health: 77% (11th highest)
> Employees working long hours: 0.68% (2nd highest)
> Disposable income: $25,740 (13th highest)
> Educational attainment: 73% (15th lowest)
> Life expectancy: 80.8 (14th highest)
The Dutch government is heavily involved in internal economic
affairs, playing a “significant role … pertaining to almost every aspect
of economic activity,” according to the U.S. Department of State.
Judging by Netherlands’ 75% employment rate — the third highest among
those surveyed — this regulated, monitored economy has thrived in recent
years. Of those employed, only 0.68% work longer than 50 hours a week —
the second-lowest percentage among those surveyed. By contrast, 10.86%
of U.S. workers eclipse the 50 hour mark. The Dutch also rank among the
top 15 in self-reported good health, life expectancy and disposable
income.

2. Norway
> Life satisfaction score: 7.6 (2nd)
> Employment rate: 75% (4th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 80% (8th highest)
> Employees working long hours: 2.66% (5th highest)
> Disposable income: $30,465 (5th highest)
> Educational attainment: 81% (15th highest)
> Life expectancy:81.2 (10th highest)
Of all the nations examined in the OECD’s report, Norway is among the
most financially secure. Of working-age adults, 75% are employed — the
fourth-best rate. Also, the average household disposable income is
$30,645, the third highest among OECD nations. Norway also significantly
outspends almost all other surveyed nations on health care, allocating
$5,003 per person per year. This is well above the average for OECD
nations of $3,060 per person per year. Norway also has one of the
healthiest populations, with a life expectancy of 81.2 years and 80%
claiming to be in “good” or “very good” health. Showcasing its economic
strength, Norway is able to provide quality public health and education
services while maintaining a budget surplus of 162.5% of GDP and an AAA
rating from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.

1. Denmark
> Life satisfaction score: 7.8 (1st)
> Employment rate: 73% (6th highest)
> Self-reported good health: 71% (17th highest)
> Employees working long hours: 1.92% (4th highest)
> Disposable income: $23,213 (15th lowest)
> Educational attainment: 76% (18th lowest)
> Life expectancy: 79.3 (11th lowest)
Denmark tops the OECD ranking as the country with the most satisfied
citizens among the countries studied by the OECD. At first glance, the
reason is not obvious. Denmark ranks no higher than fourth in any of the
categories that appear to correlate strongly with overall satisfaction.
Yet, in addition to the OECD, organizations such as the World Map of
Happiness and the World Database of Happiness have consistently put
Denmark at the top of their list of the world’s happiest countries. A
high employment rate of 73% and a low percentage of 1.92% of employees
working long hours contribute to high satisfaction levels. But overall,
it is hard to pin down why those Danes are so darn happy.
Michael B. Sauter